The Hindu             31.10.2013

Ooty Lake pollution prevention measures gain momentum

A major work entrusted to the Public Works
Department-Water Resources Organisation (PWD-WRO) to prevent pollution
of the Ooty Lake is nearing completion, according to P. Shankar,
District Collector of the Nilgiris.

Speaking to
The Hindu
here on Wednesday, he said that the work involved the cleaning of the
3.06 km Kodappamund Channel which cuts through the town at a cost of Rs.
1.2 crore and the construction of a sewage treatment plant (STP) near
the lake at a cost of Rs.1.05 crore. Over 90 per cent of the work has
been completed.

Stating that trial runs have
commenced at the STP, he said that it would be commissioned soon. The
total amount sanctioned by the Government to clean the lake was Rs. 4.77
crore, he said.

Pointing out that instructions have
been issued to construct retaining walls wherever necessary along the
channel to prevent soil erosion, he said that the officials have been
asked to erect fences to prevent dumping of discarded items into the
channel. Efforts would be made to create awareness among the people
particularly those residing along the channel and the lake about the
need to keep them clean. A committee would be formed for this. Effluents
of 13 buildings situated around the lake are entering the lake.

The
Lake Management Committee formed by the Government has become a
registered society. A Rs. 9 crore proposal has been submitted for
putting in place a submersible diffuser system for keeping the lake
water clean. Since the Tamil Nadu Water Investment Company Limited has
come up with another proposal, a meeting would be held on November 9. He
said that steps would be taken to provide sewage connections to 6,745
households which have not been covered in the existing underground
sewage scheme. Earlier Mr. Shankar inspected the Kodappamund channel and
the STP. Among those who accompanied him was the Project Director, Hill
Area Development Programme (HADP), Srinivas R.Reddy.